Peter Garland OH 1955-1959
Monday 23 November 2020
A TRIBUTE TO PETER GARLAND Initial thoughts – that’s easy, for someone many referred to by just his initials, “PG”. During his working life in the City, he was known as “Pron”, after the 3-letter initials “PRN”, emblazoned on his trading jacket. To sum up a person’s life in one sentence is difficult … I will just say that Peter Garland was completely nuts! He was nuts about cricket, and he was nuts about family. Peter was Chairman of the Pulborough Cricket Club in Sussex, having served a marathon 18-year stint in the role - He loved to ramble on … sorry, I’ll start that again. PG loved to ramble on Sunday afternoon walks, in the company of Club Secretary Barrie Feest and me as Treasurer (and sometimes with others in tow). We used to negotiate circular routes as published in the Argus, then used the time together mulling over club issues, plus plenty of banter .. and a fair amount of drivel. Once, they told me to make sure that in the distant future, two benches be installed at the cricket ground in their memory. One plaque would read – “Peter Garland, he ate all the pies”, and the other would read – “Barrie Feest, he bowled them”! I don’t need to remind the family of his central role in all things at Codmore House, known affectionately as Codmore Towers; although from the outside looking in, I sensed it was actually Mary, his wife who was always in charge. Long term guest residents, including a succession of Pulborough’s overseas players, notably Clint Astridge and Rohit Jagota, and employees from New Place Nurseries, ensured a lively yet relaxed environment. That easy-going, welcoming atmosphere was simply a reflection of Peter’s persona. I spent many times with the family watching sport on TV, supporting England (and sometimes Scotland) at rugby, and at cricket. Many more of their friends will have fond memories of Peter, Mary and the family hosting some great New Year’s Eve parties. Peter liked nothing more than family gatherings, particularly meals indoors or barbecues in the garden, and especially when his four children and his four grandchildren were all present. Away from home, Peter and Mary got the overseas travel bug in recent years, including memorable trips to India, the US, and South Africa. Peter often looked back on his school days, meeting up with other Old Herefordians, including Peter Bourn (who organised London reunions) and Lenny Pound, his pal from Dulwich Prep.days. Amazingly, Peter FB was born on exactly the same day as PG, also had four children, and they even worked in different parts of the same building at the same time in their 20’s without knowing it, until years later. Most people though, will still know Peter best through his involvement in cricket, especially local colts’ cricket. In 1987, Peter helped establish what is now known as the Identilam League. From its modest start of 5 clubs playing at Under 16 in that first season, the number of clubs and age-groups gradually expanded over the years. He remained the league’s Secretary throughout. In what sadly was to become his final summer, I can’t imagine how disillusioned and upset he must have felt as the season’s colts league programme was wiped out by the pandemic. I thought I should summarise Peter’s cricketing life in a way that I hope he would approve, and which may also bring a knowing smile to those who knew him well. So, as …… Roger started spreadin’ the news, of Peter departing that day Thoughts from the very start of it, of PG, PG Those cricketing shoes, for so long ‘in play’ Pulborough’s major part in it - PG?, PG If he should wake up, at this moment, from his ‘sleep’ We’d say you’re King of Codmore Hill, Top of the heap. The Identilam League, from start to this day Who’s at the very heart of it? PG?, PG And he - made it there, youth cricket - everywhere It’s down to him, PG, PG. Many touching comments have been received since PG’s son Roger announced his passing to the wider world, and they’ve shown an outpouring of genuine affection for a very popular, kind, modest, vibrant and fun-loving family man, remembered as thoroughly good company … and that’s before anyone mentions cricket! Peter always said that if you need to check cricket facts or stats, you just look in the scorebook. So, if you check Peter’s life-stats in the ‘celestial’ scorebook, you will see that he scored heavily as. a player, and then as an administrator of the sport he loved, as a friend to many, in and out of cricket, as a loving brother to Richard (and to his two other brothers Julian and Steve, who predeceased him), as a loving brother-in-law and uncle, as a loving grandfather to Kellie, Todd, Bobbie, and Molly, as a loving father to Paul, to Jenny and Martyn, to Roger and Sarah, and to Ali, and of course, as a loving and dedicated husband of 54 years to Mary, his career highlight, his best match. … and if you are worried you won’t be able to find Peter’s name in the book, just check in the index under the heading “Top Order”. It is right that we feel a profound sense of sadness and loss at his death, but there should also be a profound sense of comfort and gratitude in the knowledge that our lives have been enriched and enhanced in some way by his friendship, service and love. I will end by saying to Mary and his family: Cherish his memory and be very proud of his achievements. He brought sunshine to others -and he was indeed ‘Top of the Heap’ and “A Number 1” Rest in peace, dear friend. Nick Cousins